1. Thinking About Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behavior
Charles T. Blair-Broeker
Randal M. Ernst

2. Hypnosis
Module 21

3. What is Hypnosis?
Module 21: Hypnosis

4. Hypnosis
A social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) makes suggestions about perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors, and another person (the subject) follows those suggestions

5. What is Hypnosis?: Social Influence Theory
Module 21: Hypnosis

6. Social Influence Theory
Powerful social influences produce a state of hypnosis.
This theory notes that a person’s physiological state does not change under hypnosis.
Social factors influence people to believe hypnosis will work.

7. What is Hypnosis?: Divided Consciousness Theory
Module 21: Hypnosis

8. Divided Consciousness Theory
During hypnosis our consciousness splits so that one aspect of consciousness is not aware of the role that other parts are playing.
Promoted by Ernest Hilgard ( )

9. Hypnotic Techniques
Module 21: Hypnosis

10. Hypnotic Induction
The process by which a hypnotist creates a state of hypnosis in a subject
Usually done by voicing a series of suggestions
Voice is usually calm and of a rhythmic tone

11. Hypnotizability
Differences in the ability of people to become hypnotized
Varies from person to person
Varies from situation to situation

12. Hypnotizability

13. Hypnotic Techniques: Hypnotic Suggestions
Module 21: Hypnosis

14. Limits to Hypnotic Suggestions
Suggestions usually involve sensations, thoughts, emotions, and a wide variety of behaviors.
Hypnosis does not cause behaviors.
Hypnosis can lead people to certain behaviors but so can ordinary suggestions.

15. Hypnotic Techniques: Posthypnotic Suggestions
Module 21: Hypnosis

16. Posthypnotic Suggestions
A suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, that the subject will carry out when no longer hypnotized
Technique can be used to encourage helpful behavior changes, such as stopping smoking or losing weight.

17. Hypnotic Amnesia
Inability to remember what happened during hypnosis because the hypnotist suggests that the subject will have no memory of that period of time

18. Hypnosis
Play “Hypnotic Dissociation and Pain Relief” (3:03) Segment #2 from The Mind: Psychology Teaching Modules (2nd edition).

19. Applications of Hypnosis: Hypnosis and Memory
Module 21: Hypnosis

20. Hypnosis and Memory
There are isolated cases of hypnosis helping recall.
Cannot be sure if the memory came back due to hypnosis
Cannot be sure if the memory is accurate or one that is created to please the hypnotist

21. Applications of Hypnosis: Hypnosis and Pain Control
Module 21: Hypnosis

22. Pain and Hypnosis Hypnosis does work as a means to control pain.
Has a number of practical applications

23. Applications of Hypnosis: Other Hypnotic Claims
Module 21: Hypnosis

24. Placebo Effect
Improvement due only to the power of positive expectations
People think they will get better so they do

25. Feats of Strength
Many feats of strength done under hypnosis can be accomplished without hypnosis.

26. Feats of Strength

27. Age Regression
Under hypnosis, the supposed ability to remember earlier periods of time in one’s life
Psychologists consider age regression demonstrations unreliable.

28. The End